Today's reading describes the first problems in the history of the Church, which, like all other problems in human relationships, were connected with human sinfulness. They concerned those whom the Evangelist calls 'the widows of the Hellenists'...
Today's reading describes the first problems in the history of the Church, which, like all other problems in human relationships, were connected with human sinfulness. They concerned those whom the Evangelist calls 'the widows of the Hellenists' (v. 1). In the synagogue and in the early Christian Church, Jews from the Greek-speaking diaspora were called Hellenists. There had always been a certain unspoken hierarchy in the synagogue, in which first place was given to the Jewish community of Judea and Jerusalem, while those from the diaspora, especially the Greek-speaking diaspora, held a less honored position. It is hardly surprising that this attitude eventually manifested itself at the Church's fraternal meals as well, provoking understandable indignation among the 'Hellenists': the Church was the last place where they expected to encounter discrimination of this kind. It should be noted that the corresponding Greek word does not mean 'distribution of necessities,' as reflected in the Russian Synodal translation—it only began to be used in that sense in the Middle Ages—but simply 'service.' Evidently this referred to the Church's gatherings, which took the form of fraternal meals centered on the breaking of bread, a practice widespread at that time not only in the Church but also among Jewish religious brotherhoods.
The apostles resolve this problem by proposing that the members of the early Christian community, which had already grown considerably in number, elect people to lead their gatherings. They in turn promise to lay hands on them and pray (vv. 2–3), which, according to the custom of the time, meant admitting these chosen ministers into the apostolic community (vv. 5–6). The purpose of this admission was to enlarge the apostolic community by including those who could take on the 'service of tables,' so that the apostles themselves could continue to devote themselves to the 'ministry of the word,' that is, preaching and witness (v. 4). Of course, the 'service of tables' included more than administrative and practical duties: it also entailed spiritual and pastoral responsibilities, since such a minister was to preside over community gatherings and bless the bread and wine at the breaking of bread. Responsibility for the community's spiritual life therefore rested on him as well. As a rule, however, no specifically missionary work was assigned to such a community leader, although the first ministers—the Greek name for them was deacons—were often, like Stephen, no less able as preachers than the apostles themselves (vv. 8–10).
Thus the Church's growing numbers and the imperfection of fallen human nature give rise to ecclesial structure. Yet even under these conditions, the early Christian Church, like the Church of the following two or three centuries, did not become an organization with a rigid hierarchy. It remained a movement of communities united above all by a common faith and spiritual life.
6
6:1 There arose a murmuring - Here was the first breach made on those who were before of one heart and of one soul. Partiality crept in unawares on some; and murmuring on others. Ah Lord!how short a time did pure, genuine, undefiled Christianity remain in the world! O the depth! How unsearchable are thy counsels! Marvellous are thy ways, O King of saints! The Hellenists were Jews born out of Palestine. They were so called, because they used the Greek as their in other tongue. In this partiality of the Hebrews, and murmuring of theHellenists, were the needs of a general persecution sown. Did God ever, in any age or country, withdraw his restraining providence, and let loose the world upon the Christians, till there was a cause among themselves? Is not an open, general persecution, always both penal and medicinal? A punishment of those that will not accept of milder reproofs, as well as a medicine to heal their sickness? And at the same time a means both of purifying and strengthening those whose heart is still right with God.
6:2 It is not right that we should leave the word of God and serve tables - In the first Church, the primary business of apostles, evangelists, and bishops, was to preach the word of God; the secondary, to take a kind of paternal care (the Church being then like a family,) for the food, especially of the poor, the strangers, and the widows. Afterward, the deacons of both sexes were constituted for this latter business. And whatever time they had to spare from this, they employed in works of spiritual mercy. But their proper office was, to take care of the poor.And when some of them afterward preached the Gospel, they did this not by virtue of their deaconship, but of another commission, that of evangelists, which they probably received, not before, but after they were appointed deacons. And it is not unlikely that others were chosen deacons, or stewards, in their room, when any of these commenced evangelists.
6:3 Of good report - That there may be no room to suspect them of partiality or injustice. Full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom - For it is not a light matter to dispense even the temporal goods of the Church. To do even this well, a large measure both of the gifts and grace of God is requisite. Whom we will set over this business - It would have been happy for the Church, had its ordinary ministers in every age taken the same care to act in concert with the people committed to their charge, which the apostles themselves, extraordinary as their office was, did on this and other occasions.
6:4 We will constantly attend to prayer, and to the ministry of the word - This is doubtless the proper business of a Christian bishop: to speak to God in prayer; to men in preaching his word, as an ambassador for Christ.
6:5 And they chose - It seems seven Hellenists, as their names show.And Nicholas a proselyte - To whom the proselytes would the more readily apply.
6:7 And the word of God grew - The hinderances being removed.